Squirrel Monkey Encounter – Monkey Business with the Squirrel Monkeys

Hey reader, I’m Hugo, the Marketing Intern at Sydney Zoo! I’m on a mission to review all the amazing animal encounters available at the zoo and provide insight into what makes each experience so special and unique. Join me on my journey as I meet a range of animals, large and small, and offer an insider view of the encounters at Sydney Zoo.

To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect leading up to my morning with the squirrel monkeys. If someone had asked me to describe one, I would have probably said, “They’re monkeys… that are also squirrels?” Luckily, I learned that they were not a combination of the two, but remarkably intelligent animals with curious and playful personalities. 

Our encounter began with a quick introduction from the keeper, who asked us to empty our pockets as the monkeys are highly inquisitive and will investigate anything they can get their hands on. Before entering their habitat, we cleaned our shoes in a sanitary tray to ensure no harmful bacteria or diseases could be transferred into their habitat. As we walked through to the encounter corner, squirrel monkeys swung and jumped along ropes and beams above us, making little bird-like chirps at us. The keeper explained that they were excited because they knew that food was on the way, and they also enjoy meeting and being around people.

Once we were seated in the habitat, we were each given a small plastic container filled with vegetables and crushed nuts. Once the monkeys had all realised the containers were out, we were quickly swarmed from all angles, including one using the top of my head as a steppingstone into my lap. The first thing I noticed about the monkeys was their very human like hands and fingers, they even had tiny little fingernails. Suddenly I started feeling something dropping on my feet and legs, this turned out to be pieces of vegetables as the squirrel monkeys were only interested in the crushed nuts. I found it amusing that these little animals had such a preference, however, it turns out squirrel monkeys have the largest brain-to-body ratio out of all the primates, making them incredibly smart for their small size.

Throughout the encounter, I gained a new appreciation for these cute monkeys, despite their tiny size, they all have big personalities. They show this through their acrobatic skills, picky food choices, and a range of different vocalisations If you're looking for an encounter that's interactive, full of laughs, and offers a truly personal experience, the Squirrel Monkey Encounter is one I highly recommend.

To book a Squirrel Monkey Encounter or for more information, please click here:  Squirrel Monkey Encounter